Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-01-13
The perplexins Debt Question.

6fS on inc inltTHlGaOie utDt quesliohi
beg the continuation OF the same, for few
remarks on this perplexing and vexatious
subject. Already as many different views
have been presented as there have been
writers; can therefore hardly hope to adj
vance anything new; nor do l propose to
say anything as TO the ownership Of the Of
fered and rejected coupons.
The prime question now is, What steps
are proper to be taken, if any, 10 settle the
debt question; should the legislature he
convened in extra session; and what can, or
| should it do to meet the issue? | think it
should be called at once, and that it should
firmly reasseft that this question is settled,
as per the Riddleberger bill. 1t should then
address itself TO the task of delivering the
State from the dilemma into which she has
! fallen by reason of the floods of coupons
that are now threatening to devOur her vi
taIs-for the revenue of a State is its life.
The last State democratic convention de
liberately and solemnly accepted that settle
ment as finalty of the debt controversy. l
differed at the time with this view OF the
subject, and rad hoped that the convention
would have readopted its old platform aud
renewed lis noble stand on this question, on
which we fought aud won the campaign out
of which issued the Mccullough bill settle
ment. By the provisions OF this bill, We
were assured officially, and the same was
reiterated by every democratic paper and
orator throughout the State, that after fully
meeting all necessary expense Of govern
ment including the public schools and an
nual interest surplus OF at least $500 900
would be left as sinking fund. This being
The case that settlement was to that extent
more liberal than that now offered by the
creditors through their agents and attor
neys.
However as favorable as ii was, or claim.
ed to be, it was rejected by large majority
at the next general election, out of which
issued the Riddleberger settlement.
/ This was the attitude of the question
when the democratic convention succumbed
to what it regarded as the logic of events
beyond its control. Whether this was at
the time the right and proper thing to do,
all must agree that this august body, repre-
senting the wealth, intelligenc &c and patriot
ism Of the State, was Only actuated by the
desire to do the best alike for the creditors.
the State and the party. On the success OF
the latter everything dear to all concerned
depended. This decision was acquiesced in,
and On that issue the party gloilousiy sue
ceeded. What guarantee can we now offer
Of success, either TO the party or the credit
ors By reopeung this question? No settle
ment can be considered settled until sub
mitted to the people. If they rejected the
Mccullough bill, which was unquestionably
better than that now proposed By the cred
itors, which demands all the revenue not
actually required for governmental pur-
poses, leaving 10 surplus rs sinking fund,
can We reasonably expect them to accept
similar or less favorable settlement?
Has the course more recently pursued by
the agent and attorney of the creditors by
invoking the power Of the great judicial
juggernaut, the federal courts. and by turning
loose horde of local agents for the sale Of
coupons, mostly men who Whooped the
loudest for the coupon killer" strengthened
their case, or gained them friends and sympa-
thy-and especially when the fairness, cor
rectness and consistency of those decisions
are more than questionable and so regarded
by many republicans notably the late re-
publican Gubernatorial candidate, the Hon.
John s. Wise. l think moi; but on the con.
trsry, their vindictive and trouble-causing
course has weakened their cause immeasura-
bly,. Personally, would be glad to say to
the CAIN holders, Come, let US settle this
matter amicably, if the elements of opposi-
ton were less ignorant, and powerful for
evil.
The democratic party of Virginia is
the party Of the people. mean by this
those people who make up comparatively
all that is substantial aud reliable in morals,
intelligence and wealth. OF course | don't
mean TO say that there is nothing of these
in the opposite party. This being go, no
settlement is reliable without the endorse.
ment or acceptance Of the democratic party.
Can the democratic party at this time Sc
cure 8 better settlement? Can she even
afford to make the effort at this time? Dis
affected towards the federal administration,
divided among Themselves OH this question,
opposed by a party that is ruled
by the dictum OF leader who, if it
should suit his ends, would assume
or repudiate the whole debt with equal
faciity--and whose following is com
posed of over 100000 negro voters, whose
moral aud intellectual culture is too low to
understand or appreciate the right or the
wrong of the question, and by many thou
sands of whites, whose better judgment is
perverted by prejudice or se.ishness, and
all ready to follow blindly the lead of one
man, who Also fully endorses the theory of
his friend and favorite, John Sherman. who
| says lnde ANY tHlbR 10 JustiHauio III va" anu
morals to defeat the democrats-the ques
ton recurs, What can the legislature 90 to
tide over our present troubles?
Ihave no plan to offer, but of all that have
seen suggested, none strikes me more IA
vorably than that suggested by Mr.. Geo.
q. Tyler; viz, that the legislature so in
crease the rate OF taxation, with discount
for cash, that will make it lighter on the
taxpayer to pay the cash than to buy cou
pons.
Imost sincerely hope that in its wisdom
some measure will be adopted that will de
liver the good cl1 commonwealth from her
present dilemma, and that will fully vindi
cate her honor, and the patriotism and pur
ity of the democratic party of the State.
Fairfax county, Jan. 10, 1887. Rim.
GEN. PLEAsANToN AND THE Mos By LET
TER.-Gen. Alfred Pleasanton being asked
nc IN fha rnacons which indunad him fo